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Salama MS, Ashour MA, Taher ES, El-kon I, Sayed S, Alkeridis LA, Stefan B, Ana-Maria I, Al-Shuraym LA, Shukry M. Evaluating estrus synchronization and early pregnancy detection in Ossimi sheep: The influence of fluorogestone acetate treatment duration and dosage. Vet Anim Sci 2024; 24:100351. [PMID: 38666236 PMCID: PMC11043835 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2024.100351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Estrus synchronization is important for improving sheep reproduction. To enhance sheep reproduction efficiency, this study investigated the impact of different durations (7 vs. 14 days) and fluorogestone acetate (FGA) doses in intravaginal sponges on estrus synchronization and early pregnancy detection in Ossimi sheep. Two hundred ewes were evenly divided into two groups, each receiving a full 40 mg or a halved 20 mg FGA sponge for their respective durations. The study aimed to optimize breeding efficiency by examining the effectiveness of these treatments in synchronizing estrous cycles and by evaluating the use of serum levels of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (PAG1) and progesterone (P4) as markers for early pregnancy identification. Prostaglandin F2α and equine chorionic gonadotropin were administered to enhance the synchronization process. Results highlighted that the 7-day treatment protocol significantly improved estrus, pregnancy, and lambing rates compared to the 14-day protocol. Furthermore, pregnant ewes demonstrated elevated levels of PAG1 and P4, with PAG1 levels particularly higher in ewes with multiple pregnancies. The findings underscore that the shorter duration of FGA treatment is more effective for reproductive management in Ossimi sheep without significantly affecting PAG1 levels based on the dose or duration of FGA. PAG1 also proved to be a reliable marker for early pregnancy detection, offering a promising approach to identifying fetal numbers early in pregnancy. This research suggests optimizing FGA sponge use could be cost-efficient for improving reproductive efficiency and early pregnancy management in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha S. Salama
- Department of Diagnostic and Sonography, Animal Reproduction Research Institute (ARRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt
- Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Egypt
| | - Mohey A. Ashour
- Riwina Animal Production Farm, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Ministry of Agriculture, 33516 Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Ehab S. Taher
- Department of Basic Medical and Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, Zarqa 13110, Jordan
| | - Ismail El-kon
- Department of Theriogenology and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, 33516, Elgeish Street, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Samy Sayed
- Department of Economic Entomology and Pesticides, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
- Department of Science and Technology, University College-Ranyah, Taif University, B.O. Box 11099, 21944 Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lamya Ahmed Alkeridis
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Batrina Stefan
- Department Agricultural Technologies Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Imbrea Ana-Maria
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioengineering of Animal Resources, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645, Romania
| | - Laila A. Al-Shuraym
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa Shukry
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, El-Geish Street, Kafrelsheikh 33516, Egypt
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Akköse M, Çınar EM, Yazlık MO, Kaya U, Polat Y, Çebi Ç, Özbeyaz C, Vural MR. Serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein profiles during early gestation in Karya and Konya Merino sheep. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1345. [PMID: 38227703 PMCID: PMC10790319 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reported as being expressed by mono- and binucleate placental cells, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are released into the blood circulation from the ruminant placenta. Circulating gestational PAGs levels may differ between sheep breeds. OBJECTIVE This study was aimed at the close monitoring of the serum PAGs profiles of Karya and Konya Merino sheep during early pregnancy. METHODS Fifteen Karya and 15 Konya Merino ewes were synchronized by a 12-day treatment with progesterone-impregnated intravaginal sponges. After the sponges were withdrawn, the ewes were administered 400 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin. The ewes were allowed to mate naturally, and all animals were sampled for blood as of the day of mating (day 0) at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Pregnancy diagnoses were made by transabdominal ultrasonography at week 5. At weeks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, blood samples were collected only from the pregnant ewes. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 × g, and extracted sera were stored at -20°C until being used for laboratory analyses. Serum PAGs levels were determined with the aid of a commercial PAG-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test originally developed for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. Differences in the between the PAGs levels throughout pregnancy and the group effect (Karya and Konya Merino) were determined with a two-way mixed analysis of variance. Pairwise comparisons were made using a Bonferroni adjustment. RESULTS PAGs levels showed a linear increase with the advance of pregnancy in both Karya and Konya Merino sheep. No difference was detected between the breeds for serum PAGs levels. The serum PAGs levels of the pregnant and non-pregnant ewes differed as of the fourth week. CONCLUSION The serum PAGs levels of the Karya and Konya Merino ewes were similar during the first 11 weeks of gestation, and pregnancy diagnosis could be made based on serum PAGs levels as of the 4th week in both breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Akköse
- Department of LivestockDalaman Agricultural EnterpriseGeneral Directorate of Agricultural EnterprisesMuğlaTurkey
| | - Elif Merve Çınar
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial InseminationFaculty of Veterinary MedicineDicle UniversityDiyarbakırTurkey
| | - Murat Onur Yazlık
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineAnkara UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Ufuk Kaya
- Department of BiostatisticsFaculty of Veterinary MedicineHatay Mustafa Kemal UniversityHatayTurkey
| | - Yadigar Polat
- Department of Medical Services and TechniquesVocational High School of Health ServicesKilis 7 Aralık UniversityKilisTurkey
| | - Çiğdem Çebi
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial InseminationFaculty of Veterinary MedicineHarran UniversityŞanlıurfaTurkey
| | - Ceyhan Özbeyaz
- Department of Animal SciencesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineAnkara UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Mehmet Rıfat Vural
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineAnkara UniversityAnkaraTurkey
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Scocco P, De Felice E, Malfatti A. Immunohistochemical and Physiological Research on Farm Animals. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040739. [PMID: 36830526 PMCID: PMC9952552 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This Special Issue "Immunohistochemical and Physiological Research on Farm Animals" is dedicated to the application of immunohistochemical and physiological studies carried out on farm animals, including traditional (pig, cow, buffalo, horse, sheep, goat, rabbit, turkey and trout) and emerging farm species (yak, sea bass and zebrafish) [...].
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Comparative Analysis of Saliva and Plasma Proteins Patterns in Pregnant Cows—Preliminary Studies. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202850. [PMID: 36290238 PMCID: PMC9597767 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary One of the most crucial topics about cattle breeding is pregnancy. During this state, there are many changes in protein expression and abundance. These changes find reflection not only in plasma protein patterns but also in saliva, which is easier to obtain than blood. The aim of this study was the analysis of plasma and salivary protein profiles in pregnant cows in order to search for valuable markers of pregnancy status. In this study, the presence of apolipoproteins possibly related to bovine pregnancy was confirmed both in plasma and saliva. This means that saliva can be considered a good source of information about the condition of the organism, including during pregnancy. It is possible that the comparison of salivary and plasma proteomes can be a helpful tool to assess the pregnancy status of cattle, and can be useful for developing rapid tests from saliva. Abstract Pregnancy is a physiological state that can be described, from a biochemical point of view, using protein patterns. The present study focused on the comparison of protein patterns between the saliva and plasma of pregnant cows to search for possible markers which are present both in plasma and saliva. Saliva and plasma were collected from healthy, pregnant (3–4 months) and non-pregnant (C; n = 4) cows aged between 4 and 8 years (P; n = 8) from the same farm. Biological material was analyzed using 2D electrophoresis and MS identification. Among identified spots, there were those which could be related to pregnancy (e.g., apolipoproteins I and II in all examined matrices or transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3 in albumin-free plasma) as well as those which are responsible for regulating of cellular processes (e.g., pyruvate kinase and aspartate aminotransferase in all examined matrices, or lactate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase, and NADH dehydrogenase in plasma). Further identification of common spots and those only specific to saliva as well as the comparison between other periods of pregnancy are necessary; it is already clear that saliva can be considered a valuable diagnostic matrix containing potential markers of physiological and pathological status.
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Barbato O, Menchetti L, Brecchia G, Barile VL. Using Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) to Improve Reproductive Management: From Dairy Cows to Other Dairy Livestock. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162033. [PMID: 36009621 PMCID: PMC9404451 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pregnancy loss is a major cause of infertility in dairy animals, particularly in cattle, which affects the productivity and profitability of farms. Detecting these unsuccessful pregnancies could offer farmers the opportunity to reduce the economic damage caused by pregnancy loss. The determination of proteins secreted by the placenta and related to the presence of a viable conceptus called pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) represents a diagnostic tool to identify pregnant or non-pregnant animals and to predict early pregnancy failures. This review describes the state of the art related to PAGs’ function, pregnancy profile, and use in reproductive management in bovine and other dairy livestock. Abstract Pregnancy success represents a major issue for the economic income of cattle breeders. Early detection of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, as well as the prediction of early pregnancy failure, can influence farm management decisions. Several diagnostic tools for pregnancy are currently available. Among these, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) have been shown to be useful for identifying the presence of vital embryos and for pregnancy follow-up monitoring. This review presents an overview of the PAGs’ functions, their pregnancy trends, and their use as a tool to improve reproductive management in bovine and other dairy livestock, such as small ruminants and buffalos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olimpia Barbato
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Menchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Gabriele Brecchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Vittoria Lucia Barile
- Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Via Salaria 31, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
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Doğan AA, Köse AM. Evaluation of bovine visual ELISA test for detection of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins in early pregnancy diagnosis in goats. Small Rumin Res 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2022.106722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Approaches to Identify Pregnancy Failure in Buffalo Cows. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020487. [PMID: 33673362 PMCID: PMC7917614 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Embryonic mortality and pregnancy failures still represent a major issue in domestic livestock production, particularly in dairy cattle. Despite the presence of extensive work in this research area, there is still no effective, accurate and practical method able to determine timing and viability of embryo specifically during early gestation. Indeed, technologies and techniques for predicting pregnancy success must continue to be developed. The aim of this work was to find the best strategy to diagnose pregnancy failures in buffalo cows in order to improve farm reproductive management. Among the methods compared in this study (ultrasonography, progesterone, PAGs), pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) seem to be the best marker for predicting embryonic mortality between 25 and 40 days of gestation to be utilized as a diagnostic tool to improve reproductive management in buffalo farms. Abstract The aim of this work was to find the best strategy to diagnose pregnancy failures in buffalo. A total of 109 animals belonging to a buffalo herd subjected to a synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) program were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were collected at days 0, 14, 25, 28 and 40 after AI for the determination of progesterone (P4) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) by the radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on day 25, 28 and 40 after AI to monitor pregnancy. The animals included in the data analysis were assigned ex post in pregnant (n = 50) and mortality (n = 12) groups. By ultrasonography, the predictive sign of mortality was the heartbeat. At day 25, the PAGs concentration was significant in predicting embryonic mortality with respect to ultrasonography and P4, at the cut-off of 1.1 ng/mL. At day 28, either PAGs, at a cut-off of 2.2 ng/mL, or ultrasonography, with no detection of heartbeat, were highly predictive of embryonic mortality. PAGs were the best marker (p < 0.05) for predicting embryonic mortality between 25 and 40 days of gestation in buffalo. Its utilization as a diagnostic tool can influence management decisions in order to improve farm reproductive management.
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